5/20/24 - 5/24/24 Weekly Update

Dear NSHS,

Over the past few weeks, it has been a pleasure to work with various stakeholders in the Health and Wellness Department Head search process. I want to extend a special thank you to Pat Gonzalez and Talia Brown who co-chaired this search process. They did a terrific job throughout the entire search, and I am grateful for their commitment to ensuring that the school would find a highly capable department chair to replace Alan Rotatri who is retiring at the end of this year. Thank you, Alan! I am also thankful to the faculty, staff, parents, students, and administrators who participated in the process and asked such thoughtful questions during our search.

This past week, South had the opportunity to interview four candidates for this position. After careful consideration and a thorough review, I am excited to announce that Patrick Jordan (PJ) Quern will be appointed to the position of Health and Wellness Department Chair. Throughout the search, PJ impressed us with his commitment to centering the needs of students in their educational journey. His deep knowledge of our institution and emphasis on collaboration with colleagues and families are only a few of the things that impressed us about his candidacy. PJ is authentic, humble, personable, thoughtful, approachable, relatable and reliable. These are some of the many qualities that will make him an excellent department chair.

PJ has been at South for over a decade; first as an athletic trainer and an aide in our CORE program, and now as a Health and Wellness teacher. He has served as a co-facilitator for class office as well as the class advisor for the class of 2027. PJ still helps us as an athletic trainer when needed and serves as the Assistant Health and Wellness Department Chair. He works well with all our students and has done significant work on the Health and Wellness curriculum in his capacity as a teacher.

I am very much looking forward to starting this journey with PJ for next school year and I hope you will all join me in congratulating him when you see him in the hallways.

Tamii

On both days, test takers will come into school at the regular start time and report directly to their testing rooms. Students who are not testing are welcome to be in the building once buses arrive. Here are the important times to be aware of:

• Tuesday, May 21

• Bus runs as normal for test takers and students arrive by 9am

• Testing runs from 9am - 12pm

• Bus does a second run starting at 11:30am for all other students to arrive by 12:00pm

• All students must arrive to school by 12:30pm

• Classes start at 12:35pm

• Wednesday, May 22

• Bus runs as normal for test takers and students arrive by 9am

• Testing runs from 9am - 11:40am

• Bus does a second run starting at 11:10am for all other students to arrive by 11:40am

• All students must arrive to school by 12:05pm

• Classes start at 12:10pm

• Other Notes

• The library will be closed all day on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Lunch will be served in the cafeteria until 12:30pm on Tuesday and until 12:05pm on Wednesday.

• Here is the May 21 and May 22 Boston bus schedule.

• Each test session begins at 9am. When you get to school, report directly to your testing location.

• Bring your Chromebook, pen/pencil, book, non-math related homework, and a water bottle and/or snack. You will not be able to access the Internet or use electronic devices while in your testing room or while your test is in progress, so it is important to have a book or other homework to do in case you finish early.

• You must use your school-issued Chromebook to test. Make sure you charge it the night before testing day so it is ready to go, and bring it with you to school.

• Please review this checklist to make sure your software is up to date.

• Please bring both your Chromebook and your charger.

• Bring a calculator with you.

• With some exceptions, a calculator is not allowed on Tuesday, but is allowed on Wednesday.
• Please bring a working calculator with you on Wednesday, May 17. If your calculator uses batteries, make sure you put new batteries in the calculator on the day of testing to ensure it will last the duration of the test.
• We will have a limited number of calculators available for students to borrow on test day.

• Students may work as long as necessary, up until the end of the school day.

• Students who need to work beyond the end of the regular testing time will move to lunch, then to an extended time room to continue and complete testing. They will be excused from any class they miss while they finish testing and be given a pass back to class when they are done.

We recommend a good night’s sleep the night before and a good breakfast the morning of before each day of testing. Please let me know if you have any questions about testing and here's to another week at South!

Sincerely,

Jason Williams (he/him/his)

Vice Principal

Newton South High School

Monday, May 20: WISE Fair, A & B blocks

Tuesday, May 21 & Wednesday, May 22: MCAS Math (Schedule)

Thursday, May 23, 2:55pm - 3:45pm: Walk for Unity (WIN 2)

Thursday, May 23, 7pm: Pops Concert

Monday, May 27: Memorial Day (No School)

Wednesday, May 29: Last Day of Class for Seniors

Friday, May 31: Senior Checkout/Rehearsal

Friday, May 31, 7:30pm: South Stage Senior Showcase

Several students will be taking makeup exams this week in science subjects, as well as other makeups.

See here for what to bring on exam day.

Note that bells will be turned off during this time period. Good luck to students who will be taking exams!

Questions regarding AP exams should be sent to Mr. Johnson at johnsonbra@newton.k12.ma.us.

We remain steadfast in our core values of choosing kindness, listening first, showing respect and taking responsibility, and unequivocally condemning hate in all forms. As a school, we commit to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, free of hate and prejudice. To show our strength as a community, I invite you to join me as I walk with all Southside middle and high school students in the Walk for Unity (formerly No Place for Hate) on Thursday 5/23 at 2:55 p.m at Winkler Stadium.

This week, the ACLU Club is hosting a free voter registration drive for anyone who wants to get registered or pre-registered to vote. Stop by the auditorium lobby (by the metal tables) during any lunch throughout the week to get registered, and grab a fun sticker on your way out!

Newton Beijing Jingshan Exchange is recruiting! Please come and attend the events if you want to know more:

5/20 School Committee Meeting

Ms Stras will share her experience of her recent trip to China. (in person or online. Details are HERE.)

5/22 Family Info Session on GMeet

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/nqx-qwks-noy

Phone Numbers (‪US‬)‪+1 727-228-1500‬ PIN: ‪477 789 757#‬

5/23 Student Info Session

Sign up to Ms Lew's WIN2 on Thursday in Rm 1310.

5/31 Application Due

Please access the cover letter and application form HERE.

Please email Ms Lew if you have any questions. Her email is lewy@newton.k12.ma.us

The annual Newton South Used Book Sale is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, after MCAS testing, though noon on Friday, May 24 in Wheeler Commons (for students and faculty).

Interested in donating books? Drop off any time in Wheeler Commons or before or after school at the Wheeler entrance Monday, May 20 or Tuesday, May 21. We're looking for any decent quality books or other media that might appeal to high school students (no books for younger kids, please).

Students will visit during their English classes or free periods W-Fri.

Yearbook distribution will begin for seniors during lunch on Tuesday, May 28.

• On that day, seniors only can pick up their books in the library during all three lunches in the library.
• On Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, May 30, students in grades 9, 10, and 11 can pick up their books in the hallway outside of the library.
• On Friday, May 31, seniors who haven't picked up a book will get theirs during graduation check-out, and underclassmen will have theirs delivered to their English classes if they haven't picked them up yet.
• Anyone who hasn't purchased a book yet can buy one during all distribution times as long as supplies last for $100, cash or check made out to Newton South High School.

Midterm comments were posted on Friday, May 10 on the Aspen homepage. They were posted to the Documents folder late this week.

We sent this message on May 10.

The Term 4 Wellness Newsletter is now available and can be found here.

Here are all the remaining final schedules for the year:

May 21 and 22 - Math MCAS

Late arrival for students not taking tests on Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22

Week of June 3 - Science MCAS, Graduation, & Step Up Day

Late arrival for students not taking MCAS on Tuesday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 5

Early dismissal on Thursday, June 6 (No late bus)

Early dismissal on Friday, June 7

Beginning June 17: Finals

Special schedules June 17 - 26

Final FAQ is here

Additionally, here is the term 4 calendar with all dates.

Class of 2025/Newton South Juniors may join this college essay boot camp taking place from June 3 - 7 at no cost.

Plus you’ll have free access to classes on Supplemental Essays and the University of California Personal Insight Questions.

See here for the flyer.

Register for the boot camp here.

Sign up for the workbook here.

All Google accounts for students leaving Newton Public Schools will be deactivated sometime in July. Click the link below for instructions about how to use Google Takeout to download your NPS data.

Download Your NPS Data Using Google Takeout

Students who need assistance with this process can visit Mr. Hammel in the NSHS Library.

We have updated the Finals FAQ to include more information regarding the last two days of school.

Specifically, June 25 and June 26 will follow a special will follow a special attendance policy. Reported absences during these last two days will not count towards the attendance standard and will be considered excused in alignment with the NPS School Committee Policy on Absences.

The graduation FAQ has additionally been updated with the video of our May 7 presentation.

We have updated the Graduation FAQ to include the following:

• Senior Family and Student Information Sessions
• Students: Completing Name Recording
• Students: Cap Decorations
• Students: Chromebook Returns

You can find the full Graduation FAQ below:

The Lion's Roar is organizing our annual graduation issue and we would love to include tribute ads to as many seniors as possible! Our special section devoted to the Class of 2024 will be distributed to everyone who attends the graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 6th. Our staff will design the ad for you at no additional cost. Photos and all details about the ad can be emailed to The Roar’s adviser, Ashley Chapman (chapmana@newton.k12.ma.us) and Volume 41’s Editor-in-Chief (ss.lionsroar@gmail.com). To see what last year’s section looked like, go to this link! If you have any additional questions, please email Ashley Chapman and the Editor-in-Chief.

See here for the form.

We are excited to announce a new update for the South community: our @south.learns Instagram page! This account will showcase all the amazing activities and events that occur every week at South, from performing arts to athletics to school focused events. Feel free to give us a follow on Instagram! In the bio, there is a link for a Google Form. If you are part of an exciting event that you want to be featured on the page, fill it out. Please let us know if you have any questions!

Help your teen grow and explore this summer with NCE's fun and educational programming for teens! Visit and tour local colleges, get a headstart on college applications, prepare for SATs, or even tour the vibrant and historical city of Boston. Led by experienced instructors, our programs provide invaluable insights, skills, and experiences to help students navigate the exciting journey ahead. From SAT prep to babysitting/CPR, we ensure each student is equipped with the tools they need to thrive. Visit our website to view our full lineup of programming and join us this summer!

This information is now additionally a pinned post on ParentSquare for easy access.

Use this form to report an absence:

• Cutler

• Goldrick

• Goodwin

• Wheeler

Attendance Standard for the 2023-2024 School Year

Attendance Standard FAQs

District Procedures Regarding Attendance

We will excuse up to two college visits per term in term 3 and 4 for juniors, and anytime during the year for seniors.

Our academic honesty protocol can be found here. This protocol is taken directly from the district's Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.

Bus Schedules

Boston Bus Schedules

Cell phones should not be seen or heard in class, and should be in a student's pocket, backpack, or door holder in the classroom. Consequences include a verbal warning, the teacher temporarily taking the phone, etc. If you need to contact your student during school, you should go through the house office, as students will not be able to check their messages during class.

We aware aware and mindful that students may need a cell phone for vital functions such as glucose monitoring. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your house office and work with them to find a solution that works best for both parties.

Please see the following letter from the Newton South Faculty Council regarding cell phone use.

• Year at a Glance: Overview of the 2023-2024 school year
• Term 4 Calendar
• Lunch Schedule for Semester 2. Classes are assigned lunches based on what wing of the building they are in.
• Public Calendar of Events: We keep an updated calendar of events on the school website - this is a combination of events from the NPS calendar and our individual school's calendar.

Math Center Schedule – Located in 4201 (except for WIN 1, in 4216)

Writing Center Schedule – Located in Library, first door on your right

Play basketball, badminton, or pickleball OR create with pastels and watercolors! After school. evenings, and weekends, NCE offers enriching programs for all interests with scholarships so everyone can participate. Explore our offerings for grades 6-12 and register here. Ignite curiosity and build friendships right here at school.

SAT Coordinator: Namal Sadiq (sadiqn@newton.k12.ma.us)

AP Coordinator: Brandon Johnson (johnsonbra@newton.k12.ma.us)

Did you know that you can scan a barcode on your phone during lunch to save time in the line? You can do so using the Stocard app and following these instructions.

The South store is centrally located right next to the Student Center and is open several blocks throughout the week.

Come check out our different selections of Seltzer, Snacks, and South gear - or just come by to say hi! We accept cash, debit/credit cards, and Apple Pay. We can’t wait to see you there!

See below for the schedule:

Attached please find the School Transfer information for the 24-25 school year. The Instructions, Policy and link to the request form are located on the NPS website under the Registration Tab.

Access the instructions here.

Students use MyFlexLearning to sign up for WIN blocks.

All students are assigned to a space.

• If you do not sign up for a WIN by the day before that WIN occurs, you will be pushed to a teacher's WIN based on available space. You will be pushed to a Wednesday WIN on Tuesday afternoon, a Thursday WIN on Wednesday afternoon, etc. If you continuously do not sign up for WIN block, we will follow up with you and determine a strategy to make sure you are making the most of this important time on learning period.
• If your teacher is absent the day of your WIN, you will be unscheduled from that WIN and pushed to another space.
• You have up until an hour before a WIN block starts to reschedule; after this, your WIN assignment is locked.

The library is not freely open during WIN block. To be in the library during this block, you must be signed up with a teacher who is assigned to this space. We will ask teachers to not send you to the library, as the library will send you back to the class from which you came.

List of Clubs & Activities at Newton South

Athletic Calendar